Concrete form clamp



Nov. 10, 1931. c. l. WILLIAMS 1,831,153

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C. l. WILLIAMS CONCRETE FORM CLAMP Filed June 20, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 k Nov. l0, 1931. c. WILLIAMS 1,831,153

CONCRETE FORM CLAMP fFiled June 20. 1929 s sheets-sheet 3 V27/#g55 a mag/ww@ E /W' 7M Patented Nov. 1.0, 1931v UNITED STA'IESl Pafi'aN'r OFFICE" I CHESTER I. WILLIAMS, OF GRAND RAPIDS, M-ICI-IIGAN,` ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO GOODSPEED INVESTMENT COMPANY, F GRAND RAPIDSVMICHIGANQA CORPORA.`

TION OF MICHIGAN CONCRETE FORM CLAMP" i i Application med June 2o,

My invention relates to concrete forms and more particularly it relates to concrete forms which may be easily dismantled after the concrete has set and the forms again em ployed in other operations.`

` The invention has among itsv objects the production of devices of the kind described which are simple in construction, reliable, durable, and economical.

A particular object of the invention is the provision of improved clamping devices which are operable to secure oppositely disposed forms together by means operable from outside of the forms. y

Another particular object of the invention is the provision of improved clamping devices whereby oppositely positioned concrete forms may be spaced in their operative positions from outside the forms. y

A further particular object of the invention is the provision of improved clamping devices of the kind described which may be removed from the vforms without injury either to the forms or to the clamping devices.

Another particular object is to produce devices of the kind described which will be satisfactory for use interchangeably in connection with the molding ofeither vertical or horizontal walls. 'Y

Still another particular object of the inven-` tion is to provide improved clamping devices of the kind described for use in connection with forms for concrete floors wherein the devices are operable to suspend the forms and the concrete from I beams forming` part of the floor construction and thereby making the use of scaffolding or -shoring unnecessary.

In building construction wherein structural steel is usedfor I beam supports forvfloors and as supporting columns, such I beams or columns are frequently imbedded in concrete to provide fire protection and where so used it is desirable to provide `reinforcement of some sort to preventthe encasing material from cracking and scalin Cif in the event of a fire and thereby exposlng the steel beams and vcolumns directly to heat. When used as reinforcement for fire-proong material my clamping device includes elements, some of which are to beimbedded in andretained 1929. Serial No. 372,432.

permanentlyin the concrete as reinforcement and others of; which are to be detachably connected with the permanently retained elements in order that they may be removed and utilized in other. operations. The `permanently retained portion of my device comprises means for holding the devices in position while the concrete is being poured and also includes elements adapted to reinforce the layer of fire-prooiing material, thereby making it unnecessaryto provide any additional material for such purpose.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of clamping devices including means for positioning the devices in'fxed re-r lation to structural steel-*members to be envcased in re-prooing material, such devices l being ada ted to serve both as a support for concrete orms and as a spacer to gauge or determine the thickness of the encasing fire` proofing material:

The devices are adapted to be suspended from a framing member such as an I beam or the like to provide supportsfor forms and fora concrete floor wherein the under surface of the floor forms the ceilinv of .a room underneath. Upon removal oipsuch clamping devices apertures remain in the concrete which may be utilized for inserting hangers for attaching same to the retained portion of the device in case it should be desired to suspend scaffolding or other objects from the ceiling. If not desired to be thus utilized, the holes may or may not be grouted with concrete, and another object of theinvention lis the provision of clamping devices of the kind described havingelements retained in the structure as reinforcing material `for fireproong, such elements being accessible for suspending hangers therefrom.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein described and shown will be obvious to those skilled in the art'from the disclosure herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, `arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

l also the forms as they appear after detachment ofthe removable portions of the devicel;V

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross section 'of la iioor 'showing an valternative embodiment of my invention g' Y Fig. 5is a perspective vievv'of that portion of 'the device shown in Fig. 4 which is to sbe permanently 'retained Vin th'e concrete -F 6 is perspective 'view 'of a form board lrav'ing a plurality of the devices mounted therein preliminary to being placed in opere ative position as a bottom form for an I beam or a side form for acolumn flange or the like; and

Fig. V `is a perspective view fof 'a -crafnk member interchangeable 'for ruse with -all embodiments of my invention in connection with molding yert'icaL'battered or horizontal Walls.

Referring noiv l'more particularly to the drafiv-ings, one embodiment of fthe invention operable as a clamping device for forms for vertical and battered Walls -isshown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.' -A plu-ralityof ilongitudinally eX- tendin'g boards 1-0 lare fastened to vertical studding membersll by nails 12 or the like to formv oppositely lpositioned Lspaced -aipart mem-'bers between which concrete is 'to be poured. While the forms :are described as constructed of longitudinally' extending boards Vand vertical studding, other material than timber can be lused'as, for exam-ple, steel plate and steel framing members.

`The oppositely positioned form members are lheld in spaced -apart relation -by clamping devices forming one embodiment o'f my invention. Each of the devices includes an inner spacing rod 16 adapted; Ato have a crank member 83 -mounted on 'one or Aboth ends ithereof. The spacer rods 16 act yboth as ties l.and struts Vand are intended to be permanently retained vin the structure, Whilethe crank members-33 are intended to -be removed and utilizedinterchangeably in connection with the -mouldingof other Walls, either vertical, battered, or horizontal. Since the spacer rods 16 are to bepermanently retained inthe concrete it is desirable for the Asake of economyto utilize as little material 'in/their 'construction asis consistent tvithfprovidingthe necessary rigidity to hold the 'form members apart. l

u'p'onth'e thickness of the Wall to be moulded.

The crank members 33 comprise an arm 13 having ahandle 19 and a shank l5. rIlle shank 15 is providedtvith'a threaded socket 9 adapted for connection with the threaded ends of the spacer rod 16. The spacer rod 16 preferably stops short of the inner edges of the form Walls-an inch or two at either end. T he burr 45 on each end of the spacing member 16 provides a stop limiting the amount ofth-rearded engage'n'ient of the crank members 33 with -tihe rod 1f6. The diameter of the Vburrs 45 is less ythan the diameter ofthe aligned holes 14 in the opposi'ltely positioned form members 1through which the rod'lG projected as a tpreliminary to finstalli-I-i'g'the l'clamp member. VShirle the crank members 33 are shown as having a. socket 9 providing `a threaded connection with the endsof the spacer rod 16, it Ais to be vunderstood'tfhat any other mea-ns may be utilized for detachably mounting the crank 'member on the rod 16. y f

'The vertical studdilrg 111,-Whioh form -fnaming members 'to which the boards 110 yare fiastened lby vnaiils or the like, may be given wn'y spacing necessary to meet the requirements of the particular construction. It is desirable that the studding be yop-"positel'yicl'i sposed onthe respective vfo'rm member in Iorder .that fthe projecting ends lof-the crzvnlk lmembers 'be attachedto the "stiidding A pluralityfof the elampi-ngdeviices are provided for attachment -'to each ivof thestudc'lings '11. The :devices are spaceclapaat vertically in accordance with *thefrequirem'ents `of'the particular i-nstallation.v VlFor #this pur-pose the lholes 14 in the oppositely positioned form. fm'ernbers a-'r'efiin alignment adjacent one edge. -ofithe stucldngflt. y Y "llh'e i-irst step in -th'e installa-tion fo'f one of the devices'co'nsists in threading thelshanik 11'5 of thei'crankimeniber onto one end Jo'f the r'o'd 16, untill th'e crank meniber contacts with the burr-'45, theniinser'ting the rod'thro'ugh oppositelypositionedaligned holes 14'as indicated inthe uppenportioniofFig. 1. The nextfstep in the vassembly fof `'the device 'consists in threading the shank 15 of a fsecon'd crank member onto tlre'iproj ecting 'end .fof J'the iro d 16, until it lis Sstopped fby #the adjacent burr 45. The burrs'i'fare sopositi'oned that the arms 1:3 fof the fcraink 'members are 'in substantial r:ali-'gnme'rit 'with the `outer fed-ges ofthe stud- 'difng 11 vh'enthe y crank members Vhave been threaded until theen'ds -oflth'eshanks l'fcome intocritaet withftheburrs 45. irnfangleirenr jis mounted on thefarm 13 ofrea'ch ofth'efcrank-members by insertingthe 1on the arm 13 of the crank member permits crank member through an aperture h pro-- vided for this purpose in one leg of the angle n iron. This arrangement of the angle iron 18 the angle ironV to be fastened to studding of different sizes.

In Fig. 3 the studdin'gs 11 are shown as square timbers in Vwhich case the angle iron 18 is mounted as shown in the right hand por- ,w tion ta ding 11.

tion of Fig. 3. Studding 17, perferably constructed of 2 x4 or 2 x 6 timbers, are `shown with the angle iron 18 fastened thereto by turning the angle iron oppositely to the posi- Iren when fastened to the square stud- The efficiency of theangle iron 18 as a fastening device, as mounted on the studding 17, is increased by utilizing a semicircular notch 23 on its projecting end inv which the handle 19 of the crank member is positioned and locked.

The square studding 11 is preferable to an oblong studding because of its greater rigidity. The studding 11 is preferably of substantially the same dimensions as the length of the crank arm 13 thereby permitting the f angle iron 18 to be nailed or otherwise fastened to the studding in the position shown in the upper right hand portion of Fig. 3.V The arms 13 of the crank members and the angle 'irons 18 which are nailed to the studding cooperate to hold the forms in fixed spaced apart relation. Y

The thickness of the wall, being molded, is

thereby determined by the spacings of the burrs on the spacer rod 16. The lengths of the rods 16 may be varied to suitv di'ferent thicknesses of walls. The dimensions of the `studding are such thatfthe inner 'edge of the crank arm 13 contacts with the outer face of the studding when the crank members have been turned into contact with the burrs 45.

The contact of the studding 11 or 17 Awith the' arms 13 transfers the thrust from the concrete directly to the crank member and prevents the form members spreading apart.

Movementinwardly of the oppositely positioned wall forms is prevented by the angle irons 18 which are .fastened to the studding by nails 21. The angle irons 18 also function as means locking the crank members with the arm 13 in horizontal position.

In practice, it is desirable to placetlie clamp members on opposite sides of alternate studding 11 or 17 in order to avoid the Y tendency of the device to warp or turn the ed 'from the rods 16. Theylindrical shank 15 of the crank member may be cylindrical in which case it leaves a corresponding cylindrical hole 46 in the concrete.- The shank 15 may, ifl desired, be tapered as shown in the left liandportion of Fig. 3, in *which case a correspondingly tapered hole 47 is left in the concrete.V Thecrank member is more easily released from the'concrete in which it is imbedded if the shank is thus tapered. l

-Only an occasional holevv 14 is required in the boards 10 andsince the boards 1() and studding 11 and -17 are easily disassembled by withdrawing the nails fastening the boards 10 to the studding the greater portion o f the boards and studding are suitable for use in other construction. Figs. 1, 2, and 3 not only is easily assembled and inexpensive to manufacture but is conducive to economy by permitting the form material to be thus repeatedly used. yAfter removal of the form material the holes 46 and 47 surrounding the ends of the rods 16 may be grouted, if desired.

Another embodiment of my invention, adapted for use in moulding fire-proofing about both steel beams and columns, is illustrated in Figs. 4,5 and 6. This embodiment of the device is also adapted for supporting concrete floors while being molded and for erecting and supporting the forms and floors without the use of shoring, scaffolding, or false work. n

A cross section through one of a plurality of parallel extending I beams 27 between and around which the concrete forming a floor 30 is to be poured, is shown in'Fig. `4. The I`beams27 support the concrete iioor 3-0 and the forms project downwardly `below the lower flange of the I beams to permit the concrete to serve as fireproofng for thebeams. Both the forms and the concrete are carried by the I beams 27 by suspending from the beams aplurality of the devices forming another embodiment of my invention.

The forms for molding the concrete include a board 31 extending substantially the full length of the I beam 27 with a plurality of the clampingrdevices embodying my invention mounted therein. In addition to the boardv 31, the forms include a vertically extending board 29 on each side of the I beam 27 and a plurality of horizontal boards 28 between eachof the boards 29. The weight of the floor 30 is carried to the'boards 31 by spaced apart struts and transversely extending joists 51. The boards 28 rest directly-upon the joist 5,1,which arrangement, permits the entire weight of the floor and formsgtobe suspended from the I beam 27 without-.the use of shoring vto support the forms Vor the use of scaffolding to erect the forms. .The formboard 31 is strengthened by a plurality `of cross members 32 which are 'nailed orl otherwise fastened to the board The device shown in auV1 loo

. ally designated by the numeral 25.

for a purpose hereinafter more particularly described. l t v The portion of the device intended-to be permanently retained in the concrete after removal of the forms isshown in Fig. 5. This permanently retained portion ofthe device includes a pair of hook bolts 26, each mounted in one of a plurality of apertures 36 formed in a strap iron spacer Vbar gener- The ends 38 of the bar 25 are turned up and each have an oblong aperture 37 formed adjacent thereto. The apertures 37 permit the bars 25 to be easilybent and facilitate the bonding with the concrete, in which the bars are imbedded. A notch 39 is formed in each upturnedend 38 of the bar 25. TWhen the 'endsl of the bar 25 arebent over as indicated in the 'left hand portion of Fig. 5, the horizontal portion of the hook bolts 26 are positioned in the notches 39 and the bolts thereby locked against rotation.

The middle portion ofthe bar 25 has a pair of spaced apart strips 40 severed therefrom except at their outer ends. The strips 40 are turned downwardly with their ends resting upon the board 31 to form supports for the bars 25 while the devices are 'being assembled, and mounted on the bar. The strips 40 thereby also gauge or determine the thicknessof liresproofing material beneath the flange of the I beam 27. Strips 41 corresponding to the strips 40 are severed from thel bar 25 except at anend near the middle of the plate. Thestrips 4lv are cut substantially longer-than the strips 40 and as a result their unsevered portions 43 are positioned on opposite sides of the bar 25 and each at some distance from and on opposite sides of the center line.V The strips 4l are bent'downwardly and then horizontally to form L shaped' members providing ing underlying the I beam 27. The horizontal portion ofthe strips 4l also provide supports for such longitudinal reinforcing rods 42 as may be considered necessary or desirable.

The apertures 36 are arranged symmetri cally relative to the middle of the bar 25 and by mounting a pair of hook rods 26 in a corresponding symmetrically positioned pair of apertures 36 I am enabledl to provide means for fastening the device to I beams having different widths of flanges. For relatively wide I beam flanges the hook rods 26 may be positioned in one of the outer oppositely positioned pairs of apertures 36 and for I beams having narrower flanges the hook rods will be inserted in apertures positioned nearer the center of the device- The lower end of the vertical portion of the rods 26 is: threaded for connection with one Vof crank members 33 already described. f The devices are mounted on the board 3 by providing holes 44'a`rranged in pairs on either side of the longitudinal center line of the board. The holes 44 are given the same transverse spacing as the apertures 36 in which the hook rods 26 are positioned. A cross member 32 is provided for each ofthe devices to be mounted on the .board 3l. The relative spacing of the clamping devices is best shown in Fig. 6, the distances apart of such devices being dependent upon the weight of the floor being carried andthe thickness of material to be used for the forms.

The crank members 33 are projected through the holes 44 with the crank arms 13 bearing against the under face of the cross members 32. The crank members 33are fastened to the crossmembers 32 by means of angle irons 34. The angle irons 34 are fastened to the members 32 by nails 35, or, if preferred, bolts or screws may be used. The bar 25 and hook rods' 26 are then positioned on the board 3l. The rods 26 are turned to slightly engage the socket 9 of the crank member 33 and with the horizontal portion of the rods turned outwardly, as shown in Fig. 6.

.The board 3l with the clamping devices mounted. thereon, is then swung up underneath the beam to ywhich it is to be fastened by means of ropes or the like, thereby eliminating the necessity 'for the use of scaffolding. The board 3l having been positioned with the outwardly turned rods 26 on either side of the flange of the I beam 27 .the hook rods 26 are further threaded into the socket 9l of the crank members 33. v

Threading of the hook rods 26 is continued until the bar 25 is drawn into contact with the under surface of the flange of the I beam,27,.thereby making the downwardly extending strips 40 spacers to gauge or determine the thickness of lire-proofing underneath the beams 27. The hook rods 26 are reinforcement for the Concrete 01. reproop; leftwith their horizontal portion turned 1nwardly as shown in Fig. 4, after which the ends of the bars 25 are VVturned upwardly and inwardly' to the position shown -in theA left hand portion of Fig. 5. The `bent ends of the bars 25 are snapped over the hook rods 26 with the notches 39 locking the hook bolts against further rotation. After the board 3l has beensuspended from the I beam 27 the struts 50 and joists 5l are then mounted in place and the form boards 28 an'd 29 fastened thereto. The hook rods 26 having been locked against further rotation, the concrete can be poured and tamp'ed around the I beam 27 without danger of the device being loosened or displaced. The oblong apertures 37, as well aszthe unused apertures 36 enable the ends of the bar 25' to be bent more easily and provide bonding surface for the concrete.

The forms are removed by the simple expedient of loosening the angle irons 34 and threading off thecrank members- 33. yThe form board 31 and crankinembers 33, aswell as the other form material may be used in pouring other sections of the floor. It is 0bvious that the entire operation of dismantling the forms can ybe quickly and easily done Without damage to the material.

The holes remaining in the concrete after removal of the crank members 33 may bey Thus it will be seen that I have provided clamping devices of the kind described comprising elements which are inexpensive to manufacture and are to Vbe retained in the concrete permanently, such retained elements, in some cases, functioning as reinforcing rods for fireproofing material, and other elements which are detachable and interchangeable in connection With the molding of either a vertical, battered, or horizontal Wall.

What I claim as neW and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: Y

1. The combination with oppositely disposed form members, of means for securing the form members in adjusted relative positions, -said means comprising a rod extending transversely of the form members, crank members operatively engaging the ends of said rod, each of said crank members arranged to extend through the adjacent form member with its arm engaging the exterior face of said form member.

2. The combination with oppositely disposed orm members, or means Jfor securing the form members in adjusted relative positions, said means comprising a rod extending transversely of the form members, crank members operatively engaging thel ends of said rod, each of saidcrank members arranged to extend through the adjacent frame member with its arm engaging the exterior face of the form member, and an element mounted on said crank members, said element being engageable with the form members to hold the crank members against movement relative to the form members.

3. The combination With oppositely disthrough the form members for securing the -said crank members ysaid element being en- ,105

'the form membersin adjusted relative positions, said means comprising a rod extending transversely of the vform members,fmeans operable to fasten one end of said rodto the,T

1 adjacent form member, a crank member-topf eratively engaging the other end of 'the-rod, saidcrank memberV arranged to 'extend "through the adjacent form member With its arm engaging the exterior face of said form member, and anelement mounted on the crank member '..s'aid element being Y operatively engage'ablef vvith `the adjacent form member to hold the crank member against movement Irelative to the form member. f

1 5. ;'I`.he combination With 'oppositely disposed form members ,of means for securing the members inadjustedpositions relative to eachv other,;said meansicomprising a rod having threaded ends, f crank membersr threadedly engaging the ends of said-rod, said crank members arranged' to project through said form members with their arms engaging the outer surfaceof the orm'members, and an element mounted on'said 'crank` members said element being engageable with the form `members Nto secure said crank'mem'- ber-to saidform members. i i J 6. The combinationwith oppositely disposedfform members koi means extending members in adjusted .positions relative to each other, `said means comprising a rod having' threaded ends. crank members eachhavvtheir arms engaging the outer 'surface' of the form members and an element mounted on gageable ,with the form members to secure said crank member toA said form members. Y 7. The combination with Aoppo'sitely disposed formmembers of means for 'securing the members'in adjusted positions relative to each other, said means comprisinga rod having threaded ends, crank'members threadedly engaging the ends ofsaid rod, said crank members arranged to project through said form members `Withtheir arms'engaging the outer surface of the form members, a .burr at the inner terminii of the threaded portion of said rods forming stops forl the" crank meinbers, and an element mounted on said crank members said-element being engageable with the form membersto secure said crank Vmembers to said form members.v f 'f 8. The .combinationY V with. oppositely disposed `form 'members comprising boards fastened to exterior framing members of means y forA 'securing' the form members in adjusted positions relative to each other said means comprising a rod having threaded ends, and crank members having their socketed ends threadedly engaging the end of saidv rod, said crank members arranged to project through saidforinmembers adjacent said framing members, Ythe arm yof said crank members engaging the outer surface of the adjacent framing members.

9. The combination With oppositely disposed form members comprising boards fastened to exterior framingvmembers of means for securing the form members in adjusted positions relative to each other said means comprising a rod having `threaded ends, crank members having .their socketed ends threadedly engaging the end of saidl rod, said crank members arranged to project through said form members adjacent said framing members, the arm of said crank members engaging the outer surface of the adjacent framing members, and an element mountedV on` said crank members, said element being engageable With the form members to secure said `crank member to said form members.

l0. The combination with oppositelv disposed form members comprising boards fastened to exterior framing members of means for securing` the form' members in adjusted positions relative to each other said means comprising a rod having threaded ends, crank members thread'edlv engagingy the ends of said rod, said crank members arraneed to proiect through said form members adjacent said framing members` the arm of said crank c members engaging the outer surface of the adjacent framing members. an angle iron mounted on each of said crank members by inserting'tbe crank member through an anerture in said angle iron, and means operable to fasten said angle iron to the framing member. Y.

11. The combination with oppositelv disposed form members comprisingr boards fastened to exterior framing members of'means for securing the members in adiusted positions relative to each other, said means comprising a rod having threaded ends.- crank members having their socketed ends threadedlv engaging'the end of said rod, said crank members arranged t`o project through said form members adjacent saidV framing members. the arm of said crank members engaging the outer surface of the adjacent fra-mme members, an angle iron mounted on each of said crank members by inserting the crank member through an aperture in said angle iron, and means operable to fasten saidV angle iron to the framing member, one end of said angle iron having a notch in which the handle of the crank' member is positioned.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 24th day of May` A. D. 1929.

CHESTER I. WILLIAMS.

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